P111840Z MAY 06 – May 11, 2006
FM AMBASSY BRASILIA
TO SECSTATE WAHDC PRIORITY 5352
SUBJECT: BRAZIL’S MINISTER OF HEALTH REPONDS POSITIVELY ON FUTURE BILATERAL COOPERATION
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Charge Philip T. Chicola delivered the demarche on cooperation on HIV/AIDS and other areas (ref A) to Brazil’s Minister of Health Jose Agenor Alvares da Silva on May 9. The Charge referenced former Health Minister Saraiva’s proposals for the increased bilateral collaboration offered during his visit to the United States in February 2006 and noted the stark contrast between the positive bilateral agenda proposed by Minister Saraiva and the subsequent negative attacks against U.S. policy on HIV/AIDS and prostitution delivered by the (now former) Director of the Brazil HIV/AIDS program, Pedro Chequer. Minister Alvares da Silva stated that the proposals made by former Minister Saraiva regarding collaboration with the United States are the only official position of the Ministry of Health, and still reflect its objectives. The Minister added that the statements made Chequer reflected only Chequer’s personal views and were made as a private citizen, and that his statements did not represent the views of the Government of Brazil (GOB). Minister Alvares da Silva expressed his ministry’s desire to move forward on bilateral health collaboration and focus on the areas in which cooperation is possible. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) On May 9, Embassy Brasilia Charge d’Affaires Philip T. Chicola delivered re A demarche to Brazil’s Minister of Health Hose Agenor Alvares da Silva. In addition to the Minister, the meeting was attended by Chief of International Relations Santiago Alcazar; Director of the Brazilian National HIV/AIDS Program Dr. Mariangela Simao and the Director of the Department of Distance Learning, Department of Education, Espartaco Madureira Coelho. Accompanying Charge Chicola was Embassy Health Counselor Patricia Norman and Special Assistant Jared Banks.
3. (SBU) While the atmosphere at the meeting was welcoming, the conversation was initially, and intentionally, somber, reflecting the seriousness we attach to the issues. In delivering the message, Chicola emphasized that the good will established by the positive bilateral cooperation during his visit to the United States in February 2006, was shattered by the subsequent negative attacks against U.S. policies on HIV/AIDS and prostitution made by the former Director of Brazil’s HIV/AIDS program, Pedro Chequer. The attacks were so aggressive that, in effect, they blocked any possibility for real dialogue on the issue. Given that negative attitude, Chicola asked the Minister to clarify the Ministry’s position on future bilateral cooperation on HIV/AIDS and other areas.